I know this has been covered in another thread, but I am about to have surgery on my eyes so I though I would keep a bit of a diary, just in case it was of interest.
There are two laser surgeries in Christchurch - One in Fendalton and the one I have chosen which is on papanui road. On investigation they seem to be equally good and at the end of the day it came down to price. The clinic in Fendalton offers the relatively new "bladeless" surgery and came in at about $1500 more. Laservision have the Allegretto Wavelight machine and the blurb reads:- "Laservision's Allegretto Wavelight machine is the only one of its kind in the country and one of the first three in Australasia."
Cost at Laservision is $4500 for both eyes. This includes the "free" pre-assessment, pre-operative evaluation, surgery, follow-up care and "enhancement" surgery if required.
I had the pre-assessment on Weds and was quite happy with the information given. My nurse was very clear in her explantation of the surgery and in explaining all the tests and results that she had taken. I didn't really need to ask any questions as she covered it all already. So,
I have to stop wearing my contact lenses on the 30th November for the two weeks prior to my surgery. This is because contact lenses squash the eye shape slightly, and the surgeon will need to take precise measurements in the pre-op evaluation. At this stage he can still decide that I am not a candidate and cancel the surgery, if he is happy with everything my surgery is sheduled for the next day. Because I have only just started a new job and didn't want to take too much time off they have booked my pre-op for 5.10pm and my surgery the next day for 6.30pm. I have been given a pack to take home and read which covers pretty much what I was told, and explanations of all the terminology regarding the surgery.
So, thats all for now, will keep posting.